Volunteer Spotlight: Meet David Martin
David Martin has been a dedicated Volunteer Vacation volunteer, and has recently celebrated his 10th annual trip this year!
Traveling all the way from Canada, David often joins multiple trips each year, supporting trail projects across the U.S. Along the way, he’s formed lasting friendships with fellow volunteers — many of whom now coordinate to reunite on future trips together. Whether working hard on the trail or unwinding at camp, David has become a familiar face and valued member of the Volunteer Vacations community.
We caught up with David to reflect on his wide-ranging experiences across ten memorable trips. Here’s what he had to say:
How did you first discover American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacations?
I first learned of AHS’s volunteer weeks in 2014 from a fellow hiker on the Tour du Mont Blanc trek who was active in AHS. I had done a similar volunteer program in the UK (the National Trust’s “Working Holidays” but it was winding down) and he suggested the AHS.
What has kept you coming back year after year for 10 years of volunteering?
Every VV week I have done has been different and special, although I have done my one of my favourites twice — the Champlain Area Trails just east of New York State’s Adirondack Park). Working outside, mostly on trails, in different scenic areas, with great people committed to nature and outdoor access — this keeps me coming back.
Out of all your trips, is there a favorite memory or a moment that stands out as especially meaningful or unforgettable?
Many unforgettable moments, but one that brings me back is watching the sunrise over Vermont’s Green Mountains from Camp Dudley, NY with my VV friends (our home base for the Lake Champlain week) and then sunset over the High Peaks of the Adirondacks from the other side of the camp.
You mentioned that 4 of the 8 people on your current crew have volunteered together before — what has it been like building long-term friendships through trail work?
This last week at Nantahala was special because I had volunteered before with four of the seven others in our crew! (And the hospitality from local sponsor Jim and the daily work and off-day hike leadership from Krista were fantastic.)
Some of us e-mail each other especially when the “AHS early bird list” comes out for the next year’s volunteer vacations. This year’s crew got on very well so I am sure we will keep communicating about AHS and many other things, too!
Both on the trail and off, AHS participants spend a lot of time during the week talking, sharing favorite hikes and travel places, and learning about each other. (This past week, even more time together than usual, as we had a working TV for watching college basketball and eating dinner in a beautiful lodge/home.)
Are these friends that you recruited, or did you meet them through AHS?
I met them all through AHS.
How does working as part of a dedicated volunteer crew enhance the overall experience of the trip?
This way of organizing volunteers is not just efficient and helpful for the local trail sponsor group, but adds to the camaraderie and memories of our week. (We don’t have any similar week-long volunteer arrangements like this in Ontario, where I am from — our loss.) I can think of very few times in my 10 AHS weeks where the tasks were not either in beautiful places, or gave us new skills, or were productive and beneficial locally (maybe the unnamed place where we moved gravel for a full day beside a quite accessible road).
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about signing up for their first Volunteer Vacation?
As the NIKE ads say, “just do it!” You will love it, and enjoy the company, and probably discover a state, park or trail that you haven’t been to before!
If you had to describe your Volunteer Vacation experience in just a few words or a short phrase, what would they be?
Make new friends and contribute to natural places and trails all over America!
David added, ” I like the fact that AHS has lots of choices every year, and has excellent local sponsor groups. I have been to 9 different destinations (twice at Camp Dudley in New York State — PS: I really hope we are there again this fall!) in six different states. I have also done volunteering with two of the sponsor groups as a “local volunteer” after the official AHS weeks.
I am always impressed how far many AHS participants come, many flying. We had a large group from Texas at Camp Dudley/Champlain Trails last fall.
Interested in joining a Volunteer Vacation? Learn more about what to expect, and explore upcoming trips, here.
